Molly Hatchet

Molly Hatchet

Molly Hatchet at Hellfest 2012
Background information
Origin Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Genres Southern rock, boogie rock, hard rock, Southern metal, jam rock
Years active 1975–present
Labels Epic, Capitol Records, SPV/Steamhammer
Associated acts The Danny Joe Brown Band, Gator Country
Website The official website
Members Dave Hlubek
John Galvin
Bobby Ingram
Phil McCormack
Tim Lindsey
Shawn Beamer
Past members Former members

Molly Hatchet is an American Southern rock/hard rock band that formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971. The band was founded by guitarists Dave Hlubek & Steve Holland. The band is known for their hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" from their second studio album, Flirtin' with Disaster, released on September 1, 1979.

History

1970s

Molly Hatchet was founded by guitarists Dave Hlubek[1] & Steve Holland in 1971. The band originated and was based in Jacksonville, Florida and shared influences and inspiration with what is perhaps the most well-known act in the Southern rock genre, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Bass player Banner Thomas joined the Molly Hatchet Band in 1974. Bruce Crump would become the drummer and guitarist Duane Roland taking their positions in the band in 1975. Hlubek was the band's vocalist prior to Danny Joe Brown's entrance in early 1976. Hlubek along with Banner Thomas[2] also wrote/ Co-Wrote and co-produced many of the band's songs. Hlubek has stated that the demise of Lynyrd Skynyrd opened the door for Molly Hatchet.[3] Members of .38 Special referred the band to manager Pat Armstrong[3] who, with partner Alan Walden, had briefly been co-manager of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970. Ronnie Van Zant was slated to produce Molly Hatchet's first album, having helped in writing arrangements and directing rehearsals prior to his death. Molly Hatchet cut their first demos in Lynyrd Skynyrd's 8-track recording studio using their equipment.[3] Other demos were cut in Jacksonville's Warehouse Studios. Warner Bros. Records expressed interest in the resulting recordings from these sessions. However, Molly Hatchet ended up being turned down by Warner Bros who instead picked Van Halen over Molly Hatchet. After this setback, Molly Hatchet toured the Florida roadhouse and bar circuit. About six months later, Epic Records signed the band to a recording contract and, in 1977, brought Tom Werman in as producer.

Werman, known for working with straight hard rock acts such as Cheap Trick and Ted Nugent,[4] combined boogie, blues, and hard rock making Molly Hatchet's sound different from more country-influenced acts such as The Outlaws.

The band recorded and released their first album, Molly Hatchet in 1978 which was immediately followed by Flirtin' with Disaster in 1979. Molly Hatchet proceeded to tour behind the records building a larger fan base. Danny Joe Brown, lead singer, left the band in 1980 because of health and other reasons, only to return three years later.[5]

Name and iconic cover art

Molly Hatchet took its name from a prostitute who allegedly mutilated and decapitated her clients. One iconic aspect of Molly Hatchet's image is that many of the band's album covers feature art inspired by heroic fantasy, several of which were painted by artists such as Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo and Paul R. Gregory.[6][7]

1980s

After Danny Joe Brown left Molly Hatchet, he formed The Danny Joe Brown Band with former RUM CREEK bandmate, guitarist, Bobby Ingram and guitarist Steve Wheeler, and was replaced in Molly Hatchet by vocalist Jimmy Farrar, a native of La Grange, Georgia, where he was formerly lead singer for the local Southern Rock band Raw Energy.

With the addition of Jimmy Farrar as lead singer, a new approach seemed to come to the band's sound. The earlier albums seem to some commentators to exhibit a distinct southern cultural influence – which seemed to change with the addition of Farrar on vocals. Danny Joe Brown's stage persona, gruff voice and cowboy horse-whistling was replaced with Jimmy Farrar's new vocal style, mixed with a new harder-rocking sound.

Molly Hatchet dressed as Western gunslingers for a promo shoot in 1982

With the success of the next album, the Beatin' the Odds release, the band ventured even farther away from the southern rock sound of their first albums. By 1981, Molly Hatchet had evolved to a straight-ahead rock style and a slicker production, exhibited on the Take No Prisoners release of the same year.[7] The band remained a successful act on the touring circuit. Founding member and bass player Banner Thomas left in November 1981 and was replaced by Riff West, while Farrar also left Molly Hatchet in late 1982 for personal reasons.[7] He would later rejoin other members of Molly Hatchet in Southern Rock Allstars and Gator Country.

Brown rejoined the band in Late 1982 after the departure of Farrar, while B. B. Borden (also known as B. B. Queen as a member of the funk rock band Mother's Finest) replaced Crump on drums, who had moved to Los Angeles and would later end up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, playing and recording with Canadian rockers Streetheart. In 1983, this line-up released a new album titled No Guts...No Glory. Steve Holland left in 1984 and was replaced by Ex-Danny Joe Brown Band keyboardist John Galvin, ending the Molly Hatchet characteristic of having three lead guitarists. This period saw the band return to the more overt southern style it had displayed on its debut record in 1978. Critics hailed No Guts...No Glory as the band's return to form, and did rejuvenate interest from the band's fan base, who had started to drift after Take No Prisoners album of 1981.

In 1984 the album The Deed Is Done was recorded and released, a straightforward pop/rock offering,[6] with Bruce Crump returning on drums. In 1985, the double live album Double Trouble Live was released. The greatest hits collection Greatest Hits was released in 1990, with sales reaching gold status.[8] Hlubek left Molly Hatchet in early 1987.[3] In 1989, the album Lightning Strikes Twice was released, the first to feature Hlubek's replacement Bobby Ingram, who had already been a guitarist in The Danny Joe Brown Band. In 1990 Molly Hatchet announced at a show in Ohio that the show would be their final one, that after that night the band would be disbanding.

1990s

In 1991 a revised band reformed by Brown and Ingram in a new line-up of Molly Hatchet played selected shows and tours, but didn't record a new album for five years, until the mid-1990s, when Molly Hatchet began working on a new studio album with German producer Kalle Trapp. In April, 1995, after continuing health problems, Brown had to once again leave the band, bringing in lead singer Phil McCormack (formerly of The Roadducks) to Record the 1996 album Devil's Canyon.

During the rest of the 1990s, the band's line-up did not feature any of the original members who had performed in Molly Hatchet prior to 1984. Bobby Ingram obtained the trademark ownership to work with the name.[9] At this point, the band consisted of vocalist Phil McCormack, guitarists Bobby Ingram and Bryan Bassett (formerly of Wild Cherry), keyboardist John Galvin, bassist Andy McKinney, and drummer Mac Crawford. In 1998, this line-up band recorded the album Silent Reign of Heroes.

In 1999, the band traveled coast to coast with Charlie Daniels and the Volunteer Jam.

2000s

In 2000, the album Kingdom of XII was recorded and released in Europe, and the band then toured Europe to promote the album. It was released in the United States in 2001. Locked and Loaded, 25th Anniversary: Best of Re-Recorded (2003) and Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge (2005) followed.

Danny Joe Brown left the group because of health reasons in 1995.[5] At his request Bobby Ingram kept the band together. Despite a long battle with diabetes and the effects of the stroke, Brown was able to take the stage one last time at the Jammin' for DJB benefit concert in July 1999 in Orlando, Florida. With the help of his friends and former original members Bruce Crump, Banner Thomas, Steve Holland, and Dave Hlubek, he ended the show with "Flirtin' with Disaster".[9]

Molly Hatchet Justice 2010

In June 2000, Bobby Ingram became the sole owner of the trade and service mark "Molly Hatchet," acquired from Pat Armstrong, the band's early manager. In January 2005, Ingram invited founding member Dave Hlubek to rejoin Molly Hatchet. Before Hlubek re-joined the group he played in various other bands.

Danny Joe Brown died on March 10, 2005 at his home in Davie, Florida. He was 53.

In 2005, former Molly Hatchet members Steve Holland, Bruce Crump, Jimmy Farrar, Riff West and Molly Hatchet's original guitarist Duane Roland founded and performed together in a group called Gator Country. On Monday, June 19, 2006, Duane Roland died at his home in St. Augustine, Florida at the age of 53. His death was listed as being of "natural causes" according to a June 25, 2006 obituary in the Boston Globe.[10] The Gator Country band continued until 2009.

In 2011, Molly Hatchet drummer Shawn Beamer had a heart attack and was temporarily replaced by drummer Scott Craig.[11] In 2013 Beamer returned to the band. As of 2014 Molly Hatchet tours in the United States, Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden and other markets in the Pacific rim and Australia. A new Molly Hatchet album has been planned for release in the near future.

Personnel

Current members

  • Dave Hlubek - lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1971–1987, 2005–present)
  • John Galvin - keyboards (1984–1990, 1995–present)
  • Bobby Ingram - rhythm and lead guitar (1987–present)
  • Phil McCormack - lead vocals (1995–present)
  • Tim Lindsey - bass (2003–present)
  • Shawn Beamer - drums (2001–2011, 2013–present)

Former members

  • Steve Holland - rhythm guitar (1971–1984)
  • Duane Roland - rhythm and lead guitar (1975–1990; died 2006)
  • Bruce Crump - drums (1975–1982, 1984–1990; died 2015)
  • Banner Thomas - bass (1974–1981, 1993)
  • Danny Joe Brown - lead vocals (1976–1980, 1982–1995; died 2005)
  • Jimmy Farrar - lead vocals (1980–1982)
  • Riff West - bass (1981–1990; died 2014)
  • B.B. Borden - drums (1982–1984)
  • Andy McKinney - bass (1990-2003)
  • Mac Crawford - drums (1990-1999)
  • Bryan Bassett - rhythm guitar (1993-1999)

Former touring musicians

  • David Feagle - drums (1990)
  • Eddie Rio - bass (1990)
  • Rob Sweat - bass (1990–1993)
  • Rob Scavetto - keyboards (1990-1993)
  • Rik Blanz - rhythm guitar (1990-1991)
  • Kevin Rian - bass (1991-1993)
  • Kenny Holton - drums (1991-1994)
  • Eric Lundgren - rhythm guitar (1993)
  • Mike Kach - keyboards (1993)
  • Andy Orth - keyboards (1993-1995)
  • Buzzy Meekins - bass (1994-1995)
  • Tim Donovan - keyboards (1997-2002)
  • Dale Rock - drums (2001)
  • Scott Woods - keyboards (2002)
  • Jerry Scott - bass (2002-2003, 2004)
  • J.J. Strickland - bass (2003-2004, 2004)
  • Jake Rutter - rhythm guitar (2004)
  • Rich DelFalvo - keyboards (2004-2005)
  • Richie Del Favero - rhythm guitar (2004-2005)
  • Scott Craig - drums (2011–2013)
  • Mike Owings - rhythm guitar (1999-2000)

Timeline

Lineups

1976-1980 1980-1981 1981-1982 1982-1983
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Steve Holland - guitars
  • Banner Thomas - bass
  • Bruce Crump - drums
  • Duane Roland - guitars
  • Jimmy Farrar - vocals
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Steve Holland - guitars
  • Bruce Crump - drums
  • Duane Roland - guitars
  • Jimmy Farrar - vocals
  • Riff West - bass
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Steve Holland - guitars
  • Duane Roland - guitars
  • Jimmy Farrar - vocals
  • Riff West - bass
  • Barry B.B. Borden - drums
1983-1984 1984 1984-1987 1987-1990
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Steve Holland - guitars
  • Duane Roland - guitars
  • Riff West - bass
  • B.B. Borden - drums
  • Danny Joe Brown - vocals
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Duane Roland - guitars
  • Riff West - bass
  • B.B. Borden - drums
  • Danny Joe Brown - vocals
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Duane Roland - guitars
  • Riff West - bass
  • Danny Joe Brown - vocals
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Bruce Crump - drums
  • Duane Roland - guitars
  • Riff West - bass
  • Danny Joe Brown - vocals
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Bruce Crump - drums
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
1990 1990-1993 1993-1995 1995
  • Danny Joe Brown - vocals
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Mac Crawford - drums
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • Danny Joe Brown - vocals
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Mac Crawford - drums
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • Danny Joe Brown - vocals
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Mac Crawford - drums
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • Bryan Bassett - guitars
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Mac Crawford - drums
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • Bryan Bassett - guitars
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
1995-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2003
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Mac Crawford - drums
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • Bryan Bassett - guitars
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • Mike Owings - guitars
  • Sean Shannon - drums
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • Andy McKinney - bass
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • Shawn Beamer - drums
2003-2005 2005-2011 2011–2013 2013–present
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • Shawn Beamer - drums
  • Tim Lindsey - bass
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • Shawn Beamer - drums
  • Tim Lindsey - bass
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • Tim Lindsey - bass
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Scott Craig - drums
  • Bobby Ingram - guitars
  • John Galvin - keyboards
  • Phil McCormack - vocals
  • Tim Lindsey - bass
  • Dave Hlubek - guitars
  • Shawn Beamer - drums

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album US RIAA
1978 Molly Hatchet 64 Platinum
1979 Flirtin' with Disaster 19 3xMulti-Platinum
1980 Beatin' the Odds 25 Platinum
1981 Take No Prisoners 36
1983 No Guts...No Glory 59
1984 The Deed Is Done 120
1989 Lightning Strikes Twice
1996 Devil's Canyon
1998 Silent Reign of Heroes
2000 Kingdom of XII
2005 Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge
2008 Southern Rock Masters
2010 Justice
2012 Regrinding the Axes
"—" denotes the album failed to chart, not released, or not certified

Live albums

Compilations

Bootlegs

Radio Shows

References

  1. David Hlubek
  2. Dave Hlubek
  3. 1 2 3 4 Anderson, Philip (1999). "Dave Hlubek – guitarist / founder, Molly Hatchet". Kaos2000 webzine. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  4. "Tom Werman Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. 1 2 Stephenson, Olivier (March 12, 2005). "[Deathwatch] Danny Joe Brown, musician, 53". Slick.org. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  6. 1 2 Huey, Steve. "Molly Hatchet Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. 1 2 3 Barton, Geoff (January 28, 2011). "Cult Heroes No. 46: Molly Hatchet". Classic Rock. Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. "Gold & Platinum searchable database, search for Molly Hatchet". RIAA. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Smith, Michael Buffalo (November 1999). "Still Beatin' the Odds". Swampland.com. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
  10. "Duane Roland, Molly Hatchet guitarist; at 53". Boston Globe. June 25, 2006. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  11. "Jukebox:Metal | Molly Hatchet – LIVE: Islington Academy, London 2011". Jukeboxmetal.com. Retrieved 2012-04-17.

External links

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